Center News

Spring 2005 – Community Outreach

Southern Guilford High School

At the Southern Guilford High School four consultants and a junior consultant presented four interactive workshops for graduating seniors, explaining how to turn their written papers into oral presentations.

Center for New North Carolinians, Americorps Division

Two consultants participated in their speakers’ training. They provided an interactive workshop on delivery tips (facial/body/gesture/eye contact/movement) and provided them with anxiety tip sheets and dress tip sheets.

Girl Scouts of the Triad

We presented four, 35-minute activity sessions during a four-hour time slot on a Sat. afternoon. The topics of the sessions were a mock court, active listening, creating a specialized word dictionary, delivery, appearance and dress, speaking styles, and managing public speaking anxiety. The badges the girls were working towards included Conflict Resolution, The Lure of Language, Do you Get the Message, and From Stress to Success. During the middle of the day we scheduled an interview segment where the girls could ask the consultants questions about the different roles they play as students, husbands/wives, or in leadership positions on- and off-campus.

Haven Women’s Shelter

An intern, in late April, facilitated an Interview Skills workshop for the women living at this shelter.

First Annual NC Storyfest

Consultants and Junior Consultants told stories at this event. (Kim Cuny serves as the VP on the board.) Our work-study student worked on administrative support for this function. One consultant’s CST 412 Internship involved working with the planning committee for this event. Her duties included: writing grants, reaching out to potential storytellers and sponsors within the community. She met lots of people from different organizations in and around Greensboro, including Action Greensboro, Downtown Greensboro Incorporated, and Grassroots Productions Ltd. The Speaking Center and UNCG are both sponsors for the event, which will feature multicultural stories that will appeal to people of all ages.

Train the Trainer Sessions at Local High Schools

A junior consultant participated in train the trainer sessions for local high schools (beginning with Southern Guilford) that will help both students and faculty gain the necessary tools for great public speaking. Orientations of the services offered at the center will be included in these sessions with the hope that the students will use the one-on-one consultation service offered by the University Speaking Center.

Interlink Language Center at UNCG

Consultants facilitate interactive workshops for these students related to culture shock, mock trial, debate, presenting group findings, and basic public speaking delivery skills. Consultants also do one-on-one consultations for these students. This is an on-going project.

ESL Students at GTCC

A consultant will be facilitating two back-to-back workshops (related to interpersonal communication) for groups of 6-8 adult ESL students at GTCC.

Greensboro Truth and Reconciliation (GTRC)

A consultant reviewed a public speaking event (press conference) and discussed her review with the executive director of the organization. She created a public speaking packet (interviewing skills, transitions, and speech preparation) for commissioners and GTRC staff. The consultant also created a listening packet for commissioners and GTRC staff.